Mass. Water Systems Test Over Federal Limit For Lead12:31

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Old pipes, like these from Galesburg, Ill. have lead to tainted water in Mass. (Seth Perlman/AP)This article is more than 4 years old.

According to an Associated Press analysis of EPA data, 33 water systems in Massachusetts have tested over the federal lead standard at least once during the past three years. That means more than 260,000 residents in Malden, Chelsea, New Bedford and other small communities have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead.

What does this mean for those communities?

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"The 33 water systems in Massachusetts were among nearly 1,400 systems serving 3.7 million Americans nationwide that have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once since Jan. 1, 2013, according to an Associated Press analysis of EPA data."

"While the citywide rate for Boston was 2.8 percent, previous state studies have found that certain sections, particularly pockets of Dorchester, may have rates over 6 percent. State officials said low-income and minority families are more at risk because they are more likely to live in older homes where lead paint has not been removed."

"School officials recently launched a $300,000 project to repair and upgrade plumbing so the fountain water could be restored at six buildings. But the fountains have not been used because of the worrisome tests."